JUSTICE has prepared a briefing that addresses JUSTICE’s concerns; namely, that the Bill would provide no limit on the types of criminal offences that public bodies could authorise undercover operatives to engage in, including rape, murder and torture.
While we welcome certain government proposals that have mitigated some of our concerns with the Bill, we consider that the fundamental issue – the granting of immunity for all criminal conduct – persists. We are therefore not satisfied that the legitimate concerns expressed by Peers on all sides of the House have been answered.
JUSTICE maintains that the Bill, unamended, would risk serious violation of the European Convention on Human Rights, which could set the UK apart from accepted international human rights norms. We therefore call for Peers to adopt Lords Amendments 2 and 5B, so that there are appropriate restrictions and oversight on the most serious criminal offences which may be authorised.